So the PC4K which is being sold separately is not the same thing that comes with X2 Producer? What is the difference between the buss-type and the channel type (apart from the obvious)? Do they both have the same controls, i.e. threshold/makeup etc? 

I use the PC4K Channel Compressor on almost all tracks that suit its characteristics.
It's great on snares, vocals, synths..

I think its best quality is that it encourages you to dial in the settings based on how
it's affecting the sound, rather than using any visual reference.  The compression can
often be heard long before anything shows in the reduction meter.  
Others will disagree, but I love the thing   =)

@scook: 

I totally agree, the standard modules also need to be available as multiple instances, for
continuity's sake if nothing else!

Here's hoping =)

There are two PC4K S-Type compressors. The one included with SONAR is the PC4K S-Type Bus Compressor. The other one, the PC4K S-Type Channel Compressor is an addon that is on sale now. I detailed some of the differences in my first post in this thread.

I use the PC 76 more than anything... I switched on the PC4k - s-type a few times but I keep going back to the 76. but does anybody know if there is any major difference between the "channel" style compressor that is sold versus the "buss" style compressor. I just took a moment to watch the commercial for the "channel" compressor. The narrator says that the channel comp, combined with the buss comp and expander/gate makes for "complete" emulation of the board...(I'm assuming an SSL 4000).

Well they certainly look different.

PC-4K Buss type





PC-4K Channel type




I think ChillDanny hit the nail on the head earlier, it makes you listen. It has definitely grown on me and I find myself using it more and more.

Ah... Yeah I use that top one all the time... well I use it less now that I bought the... urm, that other one that was on special PC2A? I'm pretty sure I have that bottom one too. If it wasn't included in the boxed Suite I have no idea where it came from... but yeah, I'm 99.9% positive I have that one unless there is another that looks like it.

The Expander/Gate looks similar to the PC4K S-Type Channel Compressor Module. Check it out when you get your DAW unpacked.

That's probably what I'm thinking of but I seem to recall being able to toggle between the top one and the bottom one in FBBs pics and if I'm not mistaken the Exp/Gate has green knobs.

It is possible you got the Channel Compressor as a promo. You certainly paid enough for the Production Suite to qualify for a free $20 compressor plug. The Expander/Gate does have green knobs.

Yeah, it's only $24.50 at the moment instead of the usual $49.

It's really good when you get to know how to use it. I think I was lucky because before ProChannel came to Sonar I used the SSL Duende Channel Strip on every track and the bus Comp on all my buses. I began to understand how to use it by forcing myself to use. Originally, I was a bit underwhelmed by the Channel comp (both SSL and Sonar versions) but it is super easy to dial in when you get used to it.

What makes it weird for people is they don't understand the soft knee, over easy type compression and the fact that the ratio knob also adjusts the gain automatically.